Former Bulldog, Future Bulldog to Flash Shooting Skills

This slipped through the cracks earlier this week, but it’s worth noting: Ravern Johnson, who just wrapped up his Mississippi State basketball career, will compete tonight in the State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championship in Houston. It’s part of the Final Four weekend festivities.

The event starts at 8 p.m. and will air on ESPN.

“I was surprised when I heard the news,” Johnson said in a news release, but he shouldn’t have been. Johnson made 260 career 3-pointers, second-most in MSU history. This past season, he made 40.3 percent from downtown.

Johnson struggled early in SEC play, but after a two-game suspension for “inappropriate tweets” after a loss to Alabama, he caught fire. Over the final seven games of the season, including a loss to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, Johnson made 60 percent from 3-point range while averaging 19.4 ppg.

• And as I mentioned a few days ago, a future Bulldog will also be showcasing his long-range abilities. Okolona’s D.J. Gardner was supposed to leave today in preparation for the National High School Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championship, also to be held in Houston.

That contest will be Friday at 7 p.m., but it won’t air until Sunday, at 3:30 p.m. on CBS.

• These two events are pretty big deals. How do I know that? Just look at the talent – in the booth.

The college contest will feature Dan Dakich, Brad Nessler, Jimmy Dykes and Holly Rowe. The high school contest will be called by Tim Brando, Bill “Onions!” Raftery and Sam Ryan.